This Phase I project will prototype a noninvasive monitor of vascular volume fluid shifts. The monitor will be developed to detect volume fluid shifts of 2% in less than 1 hour. Through a prior DARPA SBIR Phase II, we prototyped a revolutionary non-invasive technology called HemoTag, to measure pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). HemoTags absolute measurement of the PAP during IACUC approved catastrophic hemorrhagic porcine studies was validated with precision comparable to a pulmonary artery catheter, for measuring volume fluid shifts. PAP is the most accurate indicator of the fluid balance and it is currently measured via invasive cardiac catheterization. Through this SBIR we will enhance HemoTags non-invasive capability for real-time monitoring of vascular volume fluid shifts with additional hemodynamic measurement essential for the clinical evaluation of hemorrhage. The HemoTag measurements are computed algorithmically making the results repeatable, consistent, eliminating human error, and the device can be used anywhere, anytime and by anyone. With results available on-line in minutes, the physician gets on-the-spot indication of the patients status without waiting for time and resource consuming tests. The Phase I deliverable will include a live demonstration of the prototype performance, the measurement of several diagnostic hemodynamic measurements, and a proposed algorithmic solution.
